16th March

…the Stable Flat opposite the tree. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ The first Spanish bluebell seen in flower this year. Spanish bluebell Magnolia dawsoniana now just showing colour outside…

16th May

…species of Carpinus well into leaf on Sinogrande Walk. Carpinus henryana ‘Simplicidentata’ (a gift from Bluebell Nursery) – now that the huge suckers from the graft have been removed we…

11th March

…no blue sky today to see it properly. Magnolia ‘Delia Williams’ This is the second flowering of Jaimie’s latest magnolia hybrid. A cross between Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia ‘F J…

4th March

…oreodoxa var fargesii Rhododendron oreodoxa var fargesii 2022 – CHW Another one of those truly great magnolia days with sun, at last no wind, and a blue sky. Jaimie discovers…

24th February

…to the Beast, a fortnight later than last year.The New Zealand form of Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ is a great colour against a blue sky. Magnolia ‘Lanarth’ Jaimie’s Rhododendron ‘Maisie’ has sprung…

17th February

…Deutzia to give summer colour. Magnolia ‘Caerhays Splendour’ is the centrepiece with Magnolia ‘Raspberry Fun’, Magnolia ‘Antje Zandee’, Magnolia ‘Blue Opal’ and Magnolia ‘Mighty Mouse’ included as well. A new…

6th February

…justice. Magnolia sprengeri var. diva ‘Fire’ Magnolia sprengeri var. diva ‘Fire’ Magnolia sprengeri var. diva ‘Fire’ Magnolia sprengeri var. diva ‘Fire’ Magnolia campbellii ‘Strybing White’ full out against a blue

2nd February

…than the common wild ones (Galanthus nivalis). These eventually have 8-10in long, broad, flat, light blue-green leaves after flowering. Galanthus elwesii I assume planted 100 years or so ago under…

1st January

…from under the Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ which now looks rather scruffy. removed the ivy Camellia ‘Dewatairin’ (‘Hatsu Zakura’ as we have always called it) is very early for…

11th May

…A recently planted Magnolia tamaulipana with similar roe deer damage nearby. It should have had a wire netting surround. Magnolia tamaulipana Bluebells amazing at Burncoose as ever on a Friends…

17th May

…any variegated leaves but very blue buds. Magnolia acuminata ‘Variegata’ Rhododendron griffithianum full out. Sadly last year’s layers have been nibbled off by something – deer I assume. Rhododendron griffithianum…

29th August

…was a delicate pink. Now it has turned to a shade of light blue with some outer florets turning green while others exhibit red/purple blotches on the fading whitish flowers….

15th July

…smell is disgusting. Jaimie says ‘cat’s piss’ but we have never had a cat! Ehretia dicksonii Ehretia dicksonii Seed forming in Symplocos dryophylla which will eventually turn blue-black and Asia…

28th August

…a less exposed and windy position where it would get less dieback. Nevertheless the blue lacecap flowers set against the yellow edged leaves is an excellent contrast. Hydrangea ‘Tricolor’ Hydrangea…

23rd August

…crop of Schefflera pauciflora seedlings. Schefflera pauciflora Rhododendron liners equally good. Rhododendron liners Loropetalum chinense rubrum ‘Blush’ well out already. Loropetalum chinense rubrum ‘Blush’ Rhaphithamnus spinosus with blue berries. Rhaphithamnus…

7th August

…of light blue-grey leaves. Elymus arenarius Elymus arenarius Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ghosa’ was not bad either. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ghosa’ Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ghosa’ Agapanthus ‘Graskop’ out long after all the others. Agapanthus…

23rd July

…with blue cones and stripy undersides of the leaves. Abies nukiangense Abies nukiangense Abies nukiangense This is Tom’s own collection from Yunnan of Meliosma cuneifolia. It too is a multi-stemmed…

18th July

…Very good! Sedum spurium “Dragon’s Blood” Sedum spurium “Dragon’s Blood” Sedum spurium “Dragon’s Blood” Bought an Acacia boormanii to try at Caerhays. Upright pointed light blue foliage. Not listed in…

17th July

…full sun in a dry location. Chimonanthus praecox The ‘best’ old blue clump of mophead hydrangeas below the Magnolia x veitchii are nearly full out. They will get even bluer….

7th July

…within the flower are normally hidden when on the tree as they were at Lanhydrock 10 or so days ago. Very blue indumentum on the undersides of the huge leaves….